The Special Olympics Flame of Hope will travel through Newcastle today as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Final Leg, bringing together police, Special Olympics athletes, and the community ahead of the 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games.
The Newcastle leg of the torch run will begin at 4pm, with participants carrying the Flame of Hope from Nobbys Beach to Fletcher Park, where they will be welcomed by local police and members of the community.
The Newcastle event forms part of a six-day journey through New South Wales and the ACT, with the Flame of Hope travelling from Tweed Heads to Albury before continuing to Melbourne for the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games.
Northern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Waddell APM, said the event highlighted the strong partnership between police, the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Australia.
“The Law Enforcement Torch Run is about far more than carrying a flame. It is about recognising the achievements of Special Olympics athletes, celebrating inclusion and demonstrating the power of communities to support people of all abilities,” Assistant Commissioner Waddell said.
“We are proud to stand alongside our athletes as they prepare to represent their communities on the national stage.
“The Flame of Hope is a powerful symbol of courage, determination and belonging, and we are honoured to help carry that message through communities across New South Wales.”
Law Enforcement Torch Run New South Wales President Scott Whyte APM said the Final Leg was one of the movement’s most significant events.
“The Final Leg only takes place once every four years and is a special opportunity for police, the community and Special Olympics athletes to come together and celebrate everything the movement represents,” Mr Whyte said.
“As the Flame of Hope travels through Newcastle today, we invite the community to come out, meet our athletes and help celebrate determination, achievement, inclusion and the power of sport to bring people together.
“The support shown by communities along the route helps us raise awareness of Special Olympics and create opportunities for people with intellectual disability and autism to participate, compete and thrive through sport.”
Special Olympics athletes will join police officers throughout the journey, with a ceremonial cauldron lighting to take place at Fletcher Park following the arrival of torch runners.
Assistant Commissioner Waddell and a Special Olympics athlete will jointly light the cauldron as part of the official proceedings.
The 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games will be held in Melbourne from 19 to 23 October 2026, bringing together more than 850 athletes with intellectual disability and/or autism from across Australia.
